CMS Gives Medicaid Incentive Guidance

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has sent a 19-page letter to state Medicaid agencies giving guidance on developing state-level incentive programs for the meaningful use of electronic health records.

The HITECH Act provides 100 percent federal funding for Medicaid meaningful use incentive programs and 90 percent for reasonable state administrative expenses. States must, at a minimum, demonstrate adequate administrative and oversight procedures, and promote adoption of certified EHR products and secure exchange of health information.